Recruiting candidates can be incredibly difficult in the current market. In order to stay ahead of the curve we’ve got to stay hip to industry trends, whether they end up being a flash in the pan or are set to become the norm. But one trend that seems like it’s here to stay is video interviewing. Conducting video interviews via apps like Skype and Facetime has seen wide-scale adoption and could be the thing that gets you that next placement.
It’s Better Than a Phone Call
If you’re a recruiter you might be asking yourself “why can’t I stick to phone calls or emails?” First off, we’re not suggesting that you replace your entire recruiting process with video and video only. Emails and phone calls are an effective jumping off point for getting to know your candidates. But when it comes to hiring, video interviewing can provide clearer insights about a candidate when meeting face-to-face simply isn’t possible. Video is a more personalized experience than an email or a phone call, allowing you to better gauge things like attitude, body language, professionalism, and overall interest in the position.
It should also be noted that interviews conducted over video can be recorded, allowing multiple people within your organization (or your clients) to weigh in on particular candidate. Video interviews can feel unnatural at first, so it’s important for recruiters to coach candidates and bring them up to speed on the process to soothe any potential anxieties. That way you can be assured you’re getting the most accurate representation of a candidate.
Simplify Hiring to Combat the Talent Shortage
Unemployment is at a record low. It’s a candidate-driven market, and potential employees have no shortage of opportunities while organizations are scrambling to fill open positions. Today, 66% of job seekers start to look for new opportunities if they don’t hear back within the first two weeks, with 33% applying to 2-5 positions at the outset of their search. This means recruiters have to move quickly if they want to attract finite, quality talent and beat out the competition. Speed is the name of the game; Getting in the habit of conducting video interviews can help you close the hiring loop faster and recruit those restless job seekers. 66% of job seekers start to look for new opportunities if they don’t hear back within the first two weeks. Think about it: If you to have fill a few positions for a client on short notice with busy candidates who are in high demand, it’s going to be difficult and time-consuming to schedule a face-to-face with each and every one of them. Conducting Skype interviews (or whichever video platform you choose) though, enables you to be more responsive in a constantly shifting job market.
It’s Innovative
If you want your company to stand out, you need to be innovative. 98% of candidates say they think employers who allow them to interview via video as more forward-thinking and innovative. Video interview is a simply way to raise the overall perception of your organization in the minds’ of potential candidates, including ones that aren’t even on your radar. Employer branding is a huge factor in a candidate-driven job market, and video interviewing can go a long way in creating a positive first impression among your talent pools.
The Takeaway…
By no means is video a master key to recruiting, but it will improve multiple aspects of daily business operations. In the short run, it’ll simplify and speed up your overall hiring process, allowing you stay ahead (or at the very least keep pace) with your competitors. Customers love flexibility these days, and video can be a critical component in achieving that aim. In the long term video can help raise your organization’s branding and separate your firm from the rest of pack. If you want to be a forward-thinking company, you need to start implementing cutting edge practices like video in your day-to-day operations. This will not only make you more efficient, but it will also help in attracting more potential candidates to your organization.
